Cop sues Arlington Heights over promotion

A police officer filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Village of Arlington Heightsand fellow officers after he was denied a promotion last month.

The lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges the department’s promotion process that denied Officer Patrick Spoerry the position of sergeant was a “popularity contest” based on personal favoritism.

A list showed that Spoerry was eligible for a promotion to sergeant in April, but at the end of the month the Village of Arlington Heights said two investigators would be appointed sergeant, according to the lawsuit.

Spoerry had filed for an appeal, but on May 8, the director of human resources determined the process was valid, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that Spoerry, a patrol officer, was denied a fair evaluation because commanders from the investigations, community services and traffic divisions are able to address the panel’s evaluating officers, but patrol commanders are not able to do so.

The lawsuit also alleges the process is subject to manipulation and personal biases.

A human resources representative with the Village of Arlington Heights could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.